MCS partners with FIU’s Engineering Society

The Tau Beta Pi Honors Engineering Society at Florida International University has developed a new partnership with Miami Christian School through the efforts of MCS Engineering Instructor Oana Burci. It’s the first time the prestigious FIU group has linked up with a K-12 educational institution in Miami- Dade County. MCS welcomed Society members on campus to participate with high school students in three different hands-on engineering projects: aerodynamics, dispersion, and building structure. Students competed to see who could make the most aerodynamic paper airplane, a boat that could hold the most pennies without sinking, and a structure withstanding the most pressure. All enjoyed the challenge and are looking forward to more collaborative activities with FIU Engineering Honor Society students in the future.

!Students work on engineering project.

Several MCS students will go to a state competition after placing high in a Miami-Dade County’s National History Day Competition. Among those from Greys Buitrago’s classes headed to Tallahassee: Sonali Khiyani first for her individual website; Mark Rodriguez, second in the same category; Elizabeth and Christine Rosillo, second for their group website; Naomi Granado, first for her research paper; Carlos Fernandez, first for his individual exhibit; Christopher Abello, Alina Andrews, and Julitza Lopez, first in group exhibit.

In other good news, third grade teacher Raixa Rafuls was named April’s featured “My Kid’s Teacher Rocks” for Miami-Dade County by South Florida Parenting Magazine. Her name, photo and a paragraph from the nomination form written by a student’s parent will be entered in the“Rockin’Teacher of the Year” contest in May.

Congrats to MCS Senior Jonathan Bermudez, winner of a full baseball scholarship covering tuition, books and room and board at $30,000 per year at Western Nebraska Community College.

In elementary school news, “Edventure” visited MCS recently to share its exotic animals up close with students, as well as handling and interacting with them. Among the exotics visitors: a wallaby, alligator, cockatiel, tarantula and boa constrictor.

MCS now accepting applications for the coming school year. For more information, visit www.miamichristian.org or tel. 305 221-7754, Ext 771.

About the Author

A graduate of the University of Florida with a major in Spanish, Burns has an extensive background in advertising, marketing and reciprocal trade, travel as well as non profit consulting and management. Burns' volunteer activities led her to become a columnist writing Gloria’s Gab, a column that focuses on the non-profit activity. Burns was Executive Director of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee for 6 years and then served as the first Executive Director of Coral Gables Community Foundation for 14 years after which she helped the emerging Community Foundation of Pinecrest. Active in many non profits, she received the 2015-16 President's Best Member Award from the GFWC Coral Gables Woman's Club, 2012-13 CGWC Leadership Award, 2012-2013 Rotarian of the Year Award as RCCG Public Relations Chair and Fund raising Co-Chair, 2011 Florida Federation of Women’s Club Volunteer of the Year for the District 11 and honored by the City of Doral as one of their first recipients for the Doralian Women's Award. Among her list of current responsibilities, Burns co-chairs two annual student recognition breakfasts for the Coral Gables Friends of Education; helps coordinate charity partners for the Westin Colonnade's Annual Give Kids the World Breakfast; serves on the board of directors of Doral Business Council; is Parliamentarian and serves on the board of the GFWC Coral Gables Woman’s Club; serves the board of the Rotary Club of Coral Gables and is Publicity Chair; and is a member of the Jr. Orange Bowl Committee. Gloria is also an active member of the Music Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where sings sings in the choir. She can be reached at gloria@communitynewspapers.com

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